Detailed Search Results

Author/Association: Elsotohy NM, Salim YE, Nassif NS, Hanafy AF
Title: Cross-education effect of balance training program in patients with chronic ankle instability: a randomized controlled trial [with consumer summary]
Source: Injury 2021 Mar;52(3):625-632
Method: clinical trial
Method Score: 7/10 [Eligibility criteria: No; Random allocation: Yes; Concealed allocation: No; Baseline comparability: Yes; Blind subjects: No; Blind therapists: No; Blind assessors: Yes; Adequate follow-up: Yes; Intention-to-treat analysis: Yes; Between-group comparisons: Yes; Point estimates and variability: Yes. Note: Eligibility criteria item does not contribute to total score] *This score has been confirmed*
Consumer Summary: HIGHLIGHTS: By training the non-affected ankle (Cross-education), clinicians can begin neuromuscular control (NMC) retraining before the patient can bear weight on the affected ankle (in the acute stage of healing, or even if there is any other precautions or contraindications to exercise due to injuries). Athletes with more chronic injuries may be able to perform NMC retraining and functional retraining at higher levels than otherwise by initiating the training on the non-affected ankle. Initiating balance training on the non-affected ankle will result in earlier improvements in postural control and function of the affected ankle. Using cross-education of balance training with athletes in acute stage of LAS will shorten the rehabilitation time, assure fast return to sports or work and decrease health care costs.
Abstract: Chronic ankle instability (CAI) is frequently developed due to failure of the functional rehabilitation after acute ankle sprain. So, there is a need for an alternative way by which we can begin neuro-muscular control retraining sooner. PURPOSE: This study was conducted to examine the effect of 6-week Single-limb Balance Training Program of the non-affected side on the Overall Stability Index (OASI), Antero-Posterior Stability Index (APSI), and the Medio-Lateral Stability Index (MLSI) of the affected side in females with unilateral CAI. METHODS: Thirty-two female patients with CAI with mean age 20.96 +/- 1.69 years participated in this study. They were randomly assigned into three groups: experimental group A (cross-education) (n = 11) performed the exercises for the non-affected side, experimental group B (traditional training) (n = 11) performed the exercises for the affected side, and control group C (n = 10) did not perform any exercises. The randomization was done using statistical random tables. Data were collected using the Biodex Balance system before and after training. RESULTS: Two-way mixed design MANOVA revealed that there were significant improvements in the mean values of the OASI, APSI and MLSI after training (p < 0.05) in both the cross-education group (A) and traditional training group (B) with no significant difference in-between for the OASI, MLSI and APSI after training. There was no significant difference (p > 0.05) between the pre and post-training mean values of the OASI, MLSI and APSI in the control group (C). CONCLUSION: Single-limb balance training for the non-affected side is effective in improving the postural control of the affected side in patients with CAI.
With permission from Excerpta Medica Inc.

Full text (sometimes free) may be available at these link(s):      help